Synonyms for controversy
Most common
All synonyms
Noun
1. Debate
debate, contention, dispute, argument, disagreement, disputation, feud, quarrel, conflict, contest, altercation, contestation, difference, misunderstanding, strife, squabble, polemics, arguing, spat, brawl, bickering, war of words
Definitions
- n. 1
A debate or discussion of opposing opinions; (generally) strife.
Forms
- Plural
- controversies → debates, contentions, disputes, arguments…
Choose the right word
Controversy is commonly in words; strife extends from verbal controversy to the contests of armies.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- debate The matter of his successor is still under debate.
- argument No one could get the better of him in an argument.
- dispute Go is a game of dispute and conquest of territory.
- contention It's always been a point of contention between us.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| controversy | falling | |
| debate | rising | |
| argument | steady | |
| dispute | steady | |
| contention | falling |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- feud1, spat1
- 5 letters
- issue2, brawl1
- 6 letters
- debate2, strife1
- 7 letters
- contest2, dispute2, arguing3, quarrel2
- 8 letters
- argument3, conflict2, squabble2, polemics3, splutter
- 9 letters
- bickering3
- 10 letters
- difference3, difficulty4, contention3, disharmony4
- 11 letters
- altercation4, disputation4
- 12 letters
- disagreement4, contestation
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (issue2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- controverse
- Italiano
- controversia
- Español
- controversia
- Deutsch
- Kontroverse
- Català
- controvèrsia